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Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Thank You Card Made With the Close To My Heart February Stamp of the Month

As promised, I'm back again today with a little creativity to share. It feels good to be home and back in the swing of my regular routine, although every time I look at a  photo from my 3 weeks in Chicago, my heart aches.  It was fun to get home last night and have Dan and Dawson have the whole house clean (minus a clean cat box...ugh!) and take me out to dinner.  I missed them so much!

I made this card using the wonderful Close To My Heart February Stamp of the Month.  This set is called "Thoughtful Tidings" and is full of great sentiments.  Most of them have corresponding shapes on the CTMH/Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge (a MUST HAVE for any paper crafter!). I think my favorite sentiment in the set is "You touch so many lives".  How would you like to receive a card that said that? I know it would mean a lot to me!

This card was inspired by this card that I saw on Pinterest.  Don't you just love Pinterest for inspiration?

Here is a scan of the carrier sheet for the February Stamp of the Month. The actual size of the sheet is 6" x 6" so that should help you know a little bit about what size each stamp would be.

If you spend $50, this set is yours for only $5 (a $17.95 value). You also have the option to purchase it for $17.95. Either way, it's only available during the month of February.  You can order it through me (801.360.9896, pedermom@aol.com) or through my website. Once your spend $50, you will be prompted to add it, or if you are purchasing it for the $17.95 price, enter item #S1202.

There are several other wonderful specials this month with Close To My Heart. You can read about all of them on my blog post here.

Lastly, but certainly not leastly, I had to share this photo.  The last day I was in Chicago we had a birthday party for our little granddaughter, Daci. She is turning three.  Our daughter, Kori snapped this photo of my mom and I with Daci. I just love it!

Monday, February 6, 2012

Home Again!


I am so happy to be home again to Dan-the-Man and Dawson but I am already missing Kori, Rick, Daci and the babies (Livvi and Street) so much it hurts. 

Stay tuned over the next few days for regular posts and creative projects to return to my blog. Thanks for your patience while I was in Chicago with Kori's family. It was heavenly.


Wednesday, February 1, 2012

A Brand New Close To My Heart Idea Book and February Specials























Happy February!  I love so many things about this month:  Valentine's Day, our granddaughter, Daci's birthday, the realization that Winter is more than half over, and the hope of an upcoming Spring.  Along with those already fun things to be excited about in February, Close To My Heart has added MANY things to the list. I am trying to decide where in the world to begin!  I guess I'll start with a list. That always helps me organize my thoughts. Maybe it will help you keep track of the many goodies in store for you this month with Close To My Heart as well....  The card you see headlining this post is made with the February Stamp of the Month, see #3 below.


1.  BRAND NEW IDEA BOOK!
2.  Five for FREE in February
3.  February Stamp of the Month
4.  Help Make a Miracle
5.  Brand New Consultant Kit
----------------

1.  BRAND NEW  IDEA BOOK:  

Every 6 months (in February and August) a brand new Idea Book comes out with Close To My Heart full of so many wonderful things, including (but not limited to!) 8 new scrapbooking kits, dozens and dozens of new stamp sets, a plethora of pretty embellishments and 6 new Stamps of the Month.  WOWZA!  Here it is.  You can view it page-by-wonderful-page by clicking here or on the icon of the new Idea Book on the left side of my blog.  Then, when you've made your list, you can make your purchases on my website. But wait!  Keep reading. I think you'll want to know about a few more of the wonderful specials this month before you do.

2.  Five for FREE in February:

You can double your layouts with our Five for Free promotion! For each Studio J® 5-pack you purchase this February, you’ll get one free 5-pack. That means you get 10 layouts for just $55—that’s just $2.75 per page, with free shipping. Even if you’re already taking advantage of Studio J’s incredibly low members-only pricing, you’ll save even more when you purchase 5-packs through this special February deal. To order your 5-pack and to get one free, head to my website, click on "Shop Online" then add item #SJ5P. To build your layouts, head to my website, click on "Studio J" and go from there.
 
Also, beginning February 1, you can visit StudioJ.com for a set of instructions for creating five beautifully crafted layouts in Studio J. These instructions are intended to help you become familiar with Studio J and its features.

3.  February Stamp of the Month: As always, Close To My Heart has designed a beautiful stamp set that is available during this month only. The February set is called "Thoughtful Tidings" and is full of wonderful sentiments, many of which coordinate with shapes on our CTMH/Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge.  You can see a few fun boxes and 3D items below that the talented Close To My Heart Art Department below. I made the card at the beginning of this post using the set as well. I was inspired by a card I saw on Pinterest. I love Pinterest, don't you?  Anyhoo...back to the February Stamp of the Month:  if you spend $50, it's yours for only $5 (a $17.95 value). Or, you can purchase it for $17.95. Either way, it's only available during the month of February.  You can order it through me (801.360.9896, pedermom@aol.com) or through my website. Once your spend $50, you will be prompted to add it, or if you are purchasing it for the $17.95 price, enter item #S1202.



4.  Help Make a Miracle:



Let’s make a miracle by raising funds for Operation Smile®! The Close To My Heart Consultant who raises the most in donations between January 1 and March 31 will have the opportunity to go on an Operation Smile international medical mission where they will work as part of the non-medical staff, alongside doctors and nurses, providing care for children, screening applicants, teaching parents, and assisting in every way in this important endeavor.  You can donate by contacting me (801.360.9896, pedermom@aol.com) or by donating on my website when ordering (you'll be prompted to add your donation before the end of your order).

I want to add a special THANK YOU to my monthly Play Group members. Almost every one of them round up to the next dollar when placing their orders.  There have been years, when just by doing this, we have paid for one surgery all by ourselves. WOO HOO! 

5.  Brand New Consultant Kit: Along with a new Idea Book also always comes a new Consultant Kit. If you have or are thinking about becoming a Close To My Heart Consultant, this is a great time to do it with a brand new kit!  Our base kit is only $99 (plus shipping and tax) and then there are three add-on kits to choose from at $40 each as well.  My suggestion:  If I were just signing up, I would purchase the basic kit, plus "Choose Me Three" (this includes a three-month Studio J Membership and 5 free two-page layouts.  This Add-On kit alone is worth over $62.50.  I'll even show you the kit contents below. Before I do, let me just tell you how easy it is to sign up:
  • Go to my website
  • Click on "Your Opportunites"
  • Scroll down that page to the bottom until you see the link that says "To Become a Consultant, click here".  Of course, click there.
  • Once you sign up, Close To My Heart will notify me and I will contact you right away to help you get started. Also, if you have any questions as you are deciding to sign up, I am more than happy to answer them! (801.360.9896, pedermom@aol.com)
BASIC KIT:
_____________

Add-On Kit One:
_________________

Add-On Kit Two:
________________

Add-On Kit Three:
Hugs from Chicago (for only 6 more days),
Karen

Monday, January 30, 2012

2 More Days To Take Advantage of GREAT Scrapbooking Specials Before January 31

Livvi Maren

Street Frederick

Hello, everyone!  I'm still here in Chicago enjoying every moment with our daughter, Kori, her hubby, Rick, their daughter, Daci and their brand new twins, Street and Livvi.  They are the sweetest babies since...well, since Daci. :)  I had to share a photo of each of them today.  How cute are they?  Don't worry, you don't need to answer. I already know!  Tee hee. Leaving in a week is going to be so bittersweet. I miss my family at home so much, but leaving this sweet family in Chicago will break my heart.

With tomorrow being the last day of the month, I wanted to quickly remind you that there are MANY dozens of wonderful items that will be retiring as of midnight of January 31 (MST).  You can see the list and links to the products here.  This Cranberry Grosgrain Ribbon is one of them, and a product that I use a TON!





You also have until that same time, midnight on January 31 (MST) to take advantage of the January specials with Close To My Heart.  You can be reminded of what they are here.

The January Stamp of the Month is one of them. How awesome is this card created by my friend and downline, Lynette Kankamp?  Perfect invitation!  I love this Stamp of the Month and it can be yours for only $5 with a $50 purchase this month.



Lastly, there have been many items (especially Christmas and Halloween items) added to the "While Supplies Last" portion of my website, many more than 80% off retail prices. They are available while supplies last.  This "Mistletoe" pack of paper is one of them. It's beautiful and at  61% off (only $5!), it's a bargain. That's $5 for 10 sheets of cardstock and 12 sheets of two-sided patterned paper.  That averages out to only about .23 per sheet. WOW!





Happy end of January!  I hope yours has been as full of joy as mine has.

Warmly,
Karen

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

January Scrapbooking Specials...Only SIX Days Left


Hello from cold Chicago, everyone.  Heavens to Betsy! It is cold and snows at home in Utah all the time, but there is something about windy and humid Chicago cold and snow that just bite through you to the bone. I guess it's a good thing I am spending 90% of my time snuggled up with the brand new twins and my 2 1/2 year old granddaughter as well. It  sure is going to be hard to leave them all when my time is up.  I am missing Dan and Dawson terribly though, so I guess there will be some pull to head back to Utah when it's time.

Today, I am sharing another piece of artwork done with the AWESOME Close To My Heart January Stamp of the Month. This gorgeous and oh-so-creative piece of art was created by my friend and downline, Yvonne W.  Yvonne is so talented and she outdid herself with creativity on this door hanger.  The black square and circle are painted with chalkboard paint.  The pocket holds a sticky note pad and a piece of chalk. The circle at the bottom is a calendar. The month rotates with the cute jute handle and the days can be circled with chalk.   Brilliant, Yvonne!  There is a products used list at the very end of this post complete with links to the CTMH products that Yvonne used for your convenience.

I also wanted to remind you of the awesome January specials as well as the items that will be retiring on January 31 at the latest. If they run out before then, they are gone. Get 'em while you still can.

Before I move on to that, I just HAD to share a couple of photos of my daughter and her beautiful family. I have LOVED being here in the Chicago to enjoy every little moment with her and her hubby, Rick, as well as these new twins and my little Daci.  I'm not a proud grandma in the least.
Rick, Kori, Livvi, Street and Daci

Street and Livvi
Here is the down low on the specials. Don't forget that they all end on January 31...

1.  Close To My Heart Retiring Products:  You can see the list here. I have also included links to each item in that post so you can see each product and easily add it to your cart if you wish.

2.  January Stamp of the Month:  As you can tell by the many posts I have shared this month featuring artwork made with this awesome set, I absolutely LOVE this set.  It's only $5 ($17.95 value) with a $50 order.  Read more about how to get it here.

3.  Rock the Block:  This stamp set and block set (value of over $45) are yours for only $15 with a $25 order.  Wow! So, if you order $50 or more (before shipping and tax), then the Stamp of the Month is only $5 and the "Rock the Block" kit is only $15!  That's over $112 worth of products for only $70.  What a bargain. Read more about the "Rock the Block" promotion here.




4.  A Perfect 10:  January is FREE layout month for Studio J members.  For every 9 custom-printed Studio J layouts you buy, you'll receive the 10th layout free. To receive the discount, just add 10 or more layouts to your card. You'll see a discount reflected in your order total. And you can totally take advantage of this promotion by ordering multiples of 10.  Buy 9, get 1 free. Buy 18, get 2 free.  Buy 27 and get 3 free. And so on!  If you're not a member yet, NOW is a GREAT time to join!  To access your account, or to set up a new one and purchase a membership, just go to my website (www.ctmh.com/leavealegacy), click on "Studio J" and go from there.  Easy, peasy, lemon squeasy!




Close To My Heart products used on door hanger: January Stamp of the Month, Elemental Level 2 Paper Pack, Bamboo Cardstock, Colonial White Cardstock, CTMH/Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge (to make the pocket door hanger), Desert Sand Pad, Pacifica Pad, White Daisy Pad, Round Sponge.

Freezing in Chicago,
Karen

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Operation Smile Mission Trip


I hope you'll take the time to read today's post. This is something that is amazing that I would love to share with each of you.

Close To My Heart has been a large contributor to Operation Smile for years. I love this charity and the amazing life-changing acts it performs. There have even been years when, just by asking my customers to round up their purchase total to the next dollar, we have collectively paid for one whole surgery. It's that easy!

My monthly Play Group members all contribute and I love that they are willing to donate a few dimes or pennies with each order. I'd like to encourage you to take just a few quick minutes (4 minutes and 32 seconds to be exact) to watch this wonderful video about what Operation Smile does and how Close To My Heart helps.

Close To My Heart is offering something WONDERFUL to us as consultants. Whichever consultant raises the most money for Operation Smile (100% of donations go straight to Operation Smile) over the next 3 months gets to go on a mission trip and assist in a surgery. What a wonderful experience that would be!

The video below explains how you can donate. If you are not ordering on my website or through me, but would still like to contribute to Operation Smile, please just give me a call or email (801.360.9896, pedermom@aol.com) and I'll be happy to make your donation.

Operation Smile is an amazing charity that changes lives in one short hour! After watching our daughter give birth to two perfect little babies this week, it made me so grateful that they got here safely and are whole and healthy. Every mother wants that for her children. Through Operation Smile, so many mothers are able to watch their children become whole and healthy, unencumbered by a handicap that is very visible and affects their lives in so many ways.     

Thanks to all of my customers who so generously support Operation Smile each month.  Thanks in advance to any of you who choose to donate after reading this post and watching the video.

Freezing in Chicago,
Karen

Friday, January 20, 2012

Baby Gift Tags with Close To My Heart's January Stamp of the Month and NEW BABIES!

They're here!  They're here! They're here!  The twins are officially HERE!

Yesterday was a miraculous day and I was so honored to be there with Kori and Rick.  Livvi Maren (on the left) entered the world at 1:16 pm and weighed in at 6 lbs. 3 oz. and was 19" long.  Street Frederick (on the right) followed 9 minutes later at 1:25 pm, weighed 6 lbs. 8 oz. and was 19 1/2" long.

Excuse the blurry photo.  Grandma Karen (that would be me) brought all her camera stuff and forgot her camera card.  I didn't just leave it at Kori and Rick's house...I left it on my desk in Utah. UGH! Thankfully my daughter was trained well (even though her mother is forgetful) and had everything needed in her camera bag and we got some beautiful pictures. I will share those when they are home from the hospital and I have access to those photos. This one will have to suffice in the meantime. It's pretty sad because I had to take it with my cell phone.  I think you can still tell how beautiful the babies are.  I'm in love!

You should have seen sweet little Daci as she met them for the first time. Precious! She colored them each a picture and couldn't wait to give them to her brand new brother and sister.  Her mommy and daddy presented her with a beautiful little necklace that had two charms on it; one said "Daci" and the other said "Big Sister."  She felt so special.

I made these little gift tags to go on the outfits I bought Livvi and Street with the wonderful January Stamp of the Month. I have had so much fun playing with this set.

Don't forget that special and the other two this month.  Just click on these links for more information about each. There are only 11 more days until these specials are history. Also, be sure to check out my last post about the brand new clearance items that have just been added to my website as well.

1. January Stamp of the Month
2.  Rock the Block



3.  A Perfect 10



Freezing in Chicago,
Karen

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

NEW Christmas and Halloween Papercrafting Clearance Items


Greetings from the windy city. My mom and I have been having such a wonderful time here visiting with Kori and her family.  The twins come tomorrow!

Don't miss it!  Brand new Christmas and Halloween items (including this AWESOME Halloween paper kit called "Hooligans") have been added to the "While Supplies Last" portion of my website.  As the name implies, when they're gone, they're gone. Get 'em while you still can!  Just click on the link and start shopping.  Conveniently, you can shop on my website 24/7...even in your jammies!

The awesome new items just added range from 60 - 80% off their regular prices. For instance, this paper kit (including 12 sheets of B&T duos and 10 sheets of cardstock) retails for $12.95 but is yours for only $3, while supplies last.  That's 77% off retail. WOWZA!

Warmly,
Karen

P.S. It's freezing here in Chicago and it's supposed to be a high of 16 degrees tomorrow for the birth of the babies.  YIKES!

Sunday, January 15, 2012

CHICAGO!

Chicago at night
This is it. Today is the day!  WOO HOO! Today is the day that I get to fly to Chicago to be there for our daughter and her hubby to help with Daci and the twins, who will be making their grand entrance into the world any day now.  Wasn't it kind of them to wait for me to get there? I'm so excited. I'm even more excited that my mom is coming to help too...four generations all together!  I just wish Dan-the-Man could have come too, but someone had to stay home and work.  I'm glad it wasn't me. lol.

It would have also been so much fun if my grandmother could have joined us. Can you believe we have five generations still living? Amazing, I think. Here is photo of the five generations when Daci was just a few months old. I hope that we will be able to get another 5 generation photo before the twins get too old!
5 generations
I will be posting from Chicago, but probably not as often as usual. Trust me, I will definitely post when the twins are born.

Until then......Au Revoir!

Friday, January 13, 2012

February Play Group Projects: Layouts with Elemental


Before you start reading, be sure you check out Wednesday's post here to see all of the Close To My Heart products that will be retiring on January 31. Be sure to get your favorites before they are gone!

I know February Play Group Classes are still a bit of time away (Feb. 21 or Feb. 23) but I am about to head out to Chicago for a few weeks to help my daughter with her twins (which should be arriving any day now) and wanted to be sure and have this post up before I left.  You can still reach me by phone and email while I'm gone. Don't take this as an invitation to come and rob my home. There will still be people here.  So there!

On to the Play Group Information: You can participate in person at one of my classes, long-distance, or host a class of your own...I need to hear from you no later than Wednesday, February 15 if you want to participate).  We will be making three 2-page 12" x 12" layouts that are so versatile they can be used for almost anything. Just change the titles to whatever fits your photos!  Here are the layouts (click on any photo to see it larger and in more detail). I've shared the details of the class, the kits, and how to participate after the photos. If you are not familiar with my Play Group classes, scroll down the left side of my blog until you find the section called "Play Group Information" and read away!  Enjoy!

Layout #1: "Life's Everyday Moments" (inspired by the Close To My Heart Art Department)

Layout #2: "Girls Retreat" (inspired by the "Juggling Act" pattern in Close To My Heart's AWESOME "Magic" Scrapbooking How-To book.

Layout #3: "Sweet Child" (inspired by layout on page 29 of the Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book)

In February we are using the oh-so-versatile kit called "Elemental"for our three 2-page 12" x 12" layouts.

Class Dates and Times to choose from:
Tuesday, Feb. 21, 10 am - 1 pm (this class is in American Fork, UT)
Thursday, Feb. 21, 10 am -1 pm (this class is in American Fork, UT)
Thursday, Feb. 23, 7-10 pm (this class is in Pleasant Grove, UT)

You can also host this workshop in your home (in Utah) with your friends during the month of February and earn FREE hostess rewards (free CTMH shopping spree!) while you do it. If you are interested in doing that, please contact me (801.360,9896, pedermom@aol.com) and I'll give you all the details.

You can also participate in this workshop long-distance. If you choose to do so, just add $5 to the cost of whichever kit you choose for the extra shipping.  I suggest if you are participating long-distance that you at least order the "Better Kit", and any stamp pads we are using that you don't already have.  If you participate long distance, I am happy to stamp the items using stamp sets that aren't in the kit for you since you probably won't have the stamp pads and alphabet stamp (unless you order the "Best Kit"). That is my little gift to you if you participate long-distance.

Remember, in order to attend, you only need to purchase the Basic Kit. Anything above and beyond that is totally up to you. This month, I suggest you consider the Better Kit. The few items I've added there make a huge difference to your pages. If you already have any of the items in the Better or Best kits, just bring them with you to class.

Elemental Play Group Shopping List (for your convenience, I have linked each product to it's page on my website so you can see them)


Basic Kit
  • Elemental Workshop on the Go Kit (includes Workshop Stamp Set, Elemental Level 2 Paper Pack, Just Blooms Flutter Paper Shapes, Antiqued Copper Designer Brads, Instructional Brochure, 2 extra sheets of Colonial White Cardstock)
  • Karen's Cutting Guide
  • 2 extra sheets of Colonial White Cardstock
  • 2 extra sheets of Creme Brulee Cardstock
Subtotal:  $32.35
Total with Shipping and Tax: $37.12


Better Kit = Basic Kit + the following products:
Subtotal: $49.20
Total with Shipping and Tax: $56.45

Best Kit = Basic and Better Kits + the following products:
Subtotal: $84.15
Total with Shipping and Tax: $96.52

To close, I thought I'd share a photo of our sweet daughter, Kori, who is pregnant with twins and due any day now.  That is who I am flying to Chicago to help. With twins and an almost 3-year old, I think she and her hubby might need a little help.  Don't you? I think she is beautiful!


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